For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America:
• North American Sodium Lignosulphonate Spot Price rose in Q2 2025, especially in USA, where prices rose by 9.2%, settling at USD 652/MT FOB Texas in June.
• The quarterly bullish trend was primarily fueled by persistent supply-side constraints, including limited import volumes due to port congestion in Northern Europe (Antwerp, Hamburg, Bremerhaven), disrupting inland freight and tightening U.S. inbound availability.
• Domestic manufacturing faced intermittent pressure, as the U.S. chemical sector experienced sluggish activity amid broader industrial contraction, exacerbated by escalating trade tensions and prolonged regulatory uncertainty.
• Demand-side dynamics remained mixed throughout the quarter. Early-quarter caution among downstream buyers, particularly from the construction sector, was driven by elevated mortgage rates and subdued homebuilder sentiment, suppressing procurement activity despite rising inventory levels.
• Late May and June marked a modest recovery in consumption, as improved housing outlook and anticipated mortgage rate relief encouraged downstream restocking across cement and coating segments—key consumers of Sodium Lignosulphonate.
• Input cost stability, especially for caustic soda, supported margin consistency for domestic producers, enabling stable operating rates and neutralizing any upward cost-push pressures from feedstocks.
Why did the price of Sodium Lignosulphonate not change in July 2025 in the North American region?
• In July 2025, the Sodium Lignosulphonate Price Index in the North American region remained stable, as demand normalization aligned with consistent supply chain operations.
• The Sodium Lignosulphonate Cost and Import Trend showed steady production pricing and uninterrupted inflows from Europe, supporting a balanced market during the peak construction season.
APAC:
• The Sodium Lignosulphonate spot price in APAC increased in Q2 2025 especially in China by rose by 3.2%, reaching USD 288/MT FOB Qingdao by the end of June.
• Production remained stable in China throughout the quarter, backed by healthy feedstock availability.
• Port congestion across major Chinese terminals—including Shanghai, Ningbo, and Qingdao—persisted during April and May, resulting in vessel queues exceeding in Shanghai-Ningbo and contributing to elevated on-site inventories and delivery delays.
• Domestic demand remained subdued in April and May, as the construction sector continued to face headwinds due to prolonged property market weakness.
• International demand also remained limited, constrained by prolonged U.S.–China trade tensions and reduced buying interest from Southeast Asian markets.
• By June, restocking demand improved, supported by China’s urban infrastructure stimulus policies and investments in International Consumption Centers across key hubs, which spurred localized construction activity.
Why did the price of Sodium Lignosulphonate change in July 2025 in the APAC region?
• In July 2025, the Sodium Lignosulphonate Price Index in the APAC region registered a marginal uptick, supported by a mild recovery in demand from the downstream construction and adhesive sectors.
• The Sodium Lignosulphonate Market Activity showed cautious restocking behavior among traders, aligning with slightly improved seasonal demand.
• The Sodium Lignosulphonate Price Forecast points to modest upward movement, with gradual demand improvement likely to support near-term pricing firmness.
Europe:
• The Sodium Lignosulphonate Spot Price in Europe rose during Q2 2025, especially in Swedish market where it rose by 4.8%, settling at USD 550/MT FOB Gothenburg in June.
• Bullish price momentum was supported by a tightening supply environment and persistent logistical disruptions, including severe port congestion at key Northern European terminals such as Hamburg, Antwerp, and Bremerhaven. Contributing factors included off-schedule vessel arrivals, labor strikes, and adverse weather, which extended turnaround times and curtailed shipment efficiency during the quarter.
• Demand fundamentals remained mixed across Q2. While residential and commercial construction sectors remained weakly impacted by macroeconomic headwinds, constrained capital expenditure, and subdued housing demand—civil engineering projects demonstrated stability, cushioning the overall demand dip.
• Export demand from overseas markets such as the U.S. and APAC offered modest support, particularly in June, though buyers remained cautious in light of global tariff uncertainties and rising financing costs.
Why did the price of Sodium Lignosulphonate change in July 2025 in the European region?
• In July 2025, the Sodium Lignosulphonate Price Index in the European region showed upward movement, supported by resilient domestic downstream demand that maintained strong consumption levels.
• The Sodium Lignosulphonate Inventory Trend indicated tight stock levels, which may have limited supply availability and contributed to price firmness.
MEA:
• Sodium Lignosulphonate Spot Price in the MEA region rose in Q2 2025 especially in Saudi Arabia where it increased by 6.4%, settling at USD 695/MT CFR Jeddah by June-end.
• The quarter's upward pricing momentum was supported by periodic supply-side constraints, notably tight inventory levels post-Ramadan, moderate inbound cargo delays, and constrained import flows from overseas market amid escalating trade tensions and logistical inefficiencies.
• Demand fundamentals were anchored by Saudi Arabia’s booming construction sector, supported by Vision 2030-driven infrastructure projects, green building initiatives, and public-private partnerships. By Q2, Madinah alone registered over 213 active projects worth SR210 billion, with construction employing 24% of the local workforce.
• Late quarter price gains were marginal but steady, as anticipatory restocking and improved freight market efficiency supported slight price upticks.
Why did the price of Sodium Lignosulphonate change in July 2025 in the MEA region?
• In July 2025, the Sodium Lignosulphonate Price Index in the MEA region experienced upward movement, supported by resilient domestic downstream demand that maintained firm consumption levels.
• The Sodium Lignosulphonate Supply Trend reflected tight inventory conditions, potentially limiting the ability to meet end-user requirements and contributing to price increases.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North Americ
In Q1 2025, the North American Sodium Lignosulphonate market experienced a bullish trend driven by several key factors. January started with stable supply and steady production costs, but a surge in demand from the construction sector, fueled by post-holiday restocking, began to create upward price pressure. Despite the challenges posed by logistics disruptions and potential tariff uncertainties, strong domestic demand supported the price rally. As the month progressed, inventory levels tightened, further boosting the bullish sentiment in the market.
In February, the trend strengthened with firm demand from both domestic and international markets. Construction activity improved, underpinned by increasing job growth and easing inflationary concerns, which spurred higher procurement volumes. Additionally, stable feedstock prices and improved manufacturing conditions contributed to a supportive production environment, keeping supply levels in check and allowing prices to rise gradually.
By the late quarter, the market saw a noticeable increase in procurement activity, driven by growing confidence in the construction sector and tighter inventories. Overall, the bullish trend was driven by strong downstream demand, tight supply and favorable market conditions, leading to a positive outlook for Sodium Lignosulphonate prices in North America.
Europe
In the early quarter of 2025, the European Sodium Lignosulphonate market exhibited a bullish trend, driven by several supportive factors. The recovery of the construction sector in key export markets, particularly the U.S., bolstered international demand, positively impacting market sentiment. The manufacturing sector in Europe demonstrated resilience, signaling robust industrial activity. This growth in manufacturing output, coupled with steady domestic consumption, ensured a consistent demand for Sodium Lignosulphonate. Supply chains remained relatively uninterrupted, despite minor logistical challenges, while tight inventory levels across the region contributed to a bullish market. Strong export demand and a favorable exchange rate also played a role in strengthening the market, with the U.S. dollar’s upward trend making European exports more competitive. As a result, Sodium Lignosulphonate prices saw a gradual increase over the quarter, reflecting the positive momentum. By the end of Q1 2025, the market in Norway rose by 2.4%, with prices reaching USD 685/MT FOB Fredrikstad, marking a clear bullish trend for the region.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the APAC Sodium Lignosulphonate market experienced a bullish trend driven by several key factors. In January and February 2025, Sodium Lignosulphonate in the APAC region experienced a consistent upward trend. January began with stability in the Chinese market, but by mid-month, there was an increase due to constrained inventory levels and rising production costs, particularly from higher feedstock costs. This positive momentum continued through February, supported by steady supply dynamics, stable feedstock costs, while improving demand from the construction sector. In the late month of quarter, however, the trend reversed slightly. Although supply-side pressures, including increased feedstock costs, persisted, demand from the construction sector weakened, leading to a decline in market activity. Logistics disruptions and slower replenishment activity further added to the downward pressure. As a result, despite continued supply challenges, the overall market saw a softening, reflecting a modest decline. Throughout the region, the Chinese market saw the most significant changes, with the value holding steady at USD 279/MT FOB Qingdao. However, the quarter concluded with a 2.5% increase compared to the previous quarter's end.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the North American Sodium Lignosulphonate market showed a declining trend in November and December after a period of stability in October. The stability in October was driven by optimal production levels, moderate domestic demand, and some logistical challenges due to ongoing strikes disrupting overseas exports. However, as the quarter progressed, demand began to soften, particularly in the construction sector, a traditional key driver of consumption.
While homebuilder sentiment showed slight improvement early in the quarter, it was short-lived due to rising construction costs and political uncertainty, which weighed on market conditions. By November, despite the ongoing logistical disruptions, the supply of Sodium Lignosulphonate remained plentiful, resulting in elevated inventory levels and an oversupply situation. Demand continued to decline, further contributing to price decreases.
In December, the trend persisted, with reduced demand, especially from construction, and high inventory levels. Inflationary pressures led to cautious procurement, which exacerbated the market downturn. As a result, the North American Sodium Lignosulphonate market experienced a bearish trend, with oversupply outpacing weak demand, causing a price decline of 8.9% over the quarter.
APAC
During the final quarter of 2024, the APAC market for Sodium Lignosulfonate experienced a rising trend, supported by a combination of supply dynamics and improving demand from downstream sectors, particularly construction. Despite ongoing challenges in the Chinese construction sector, largely due to the weak real estate market, there were signs of recovery in manufacturing activity, which contributed to moderate supply levels. Manufacturing continued at steady rates, with production costs remaining stable despite fluctuating feedstock prices like wood pulp and caustic soda. Additionally, supply chain disruptions from the Golden Week holidays and logistical challenges did not create significant downward pressure on supply, as adequate production capacity remained in place to meet demand. Meanwhile, demand from neighbouring regions, particularly India, showed positive activity, providing some support to the market. This helped alleviate some of the pressures from a subdued domestic construction market in China. While challenges persisted, the overall market showed resilience due to improved downstream demand and stable supply conditions, contributing to a more positive outlook for Sodium Lignosulfonate in Q4 2024. As a result, market witnessed a 3.6% price rise during the quarter.
MEA
In Q4 2024, the MEA market for Sodium Lignosulphonate saw an overall declining trend, despite a brief marginal improvement in early October. The market was impacted by an influx of low-cost imports, increasing supply and applying downward pressure on prices. While demand remained moderate due to ongoing construction activities, high inventory levels from aggressive procurement in previous weeks intensified the oversupply situation, particularly in November and December. Despite stable production and positive growth in domestic manufacturing, the surplus supply outweighed demand, with logistical challenges from global shipping disruptions adding further strain. The construction sector, a major consumer, struggled to meet demand due to cautious spending and supply chain issues. Prices declined steadily throughout November and December, as excess inventory accumulated, and market sentiment remained cautious. Some stabilization was observed in the last week of December, driven by the clearance of excess inventories and consistent imports. As a result, Sodium Lignosulphonate prices declined by 4.0% by the end of the quarter.
Europe
The European Sodium Lignosulphonate market remained stable with minor fluctuations in Q4 2024. Demand from the key downstream construction sector was subdued, especially as Germany, a major market, experienced a downturn in October, November, and December. This decline was driven by broader economic pressures and reduced investment in construction projects across the region, which affected both activity and new orders. The subdued demand from construction prevented upward price movement, with Sodium Lignosulphonate prices staying relatively stable throughout the quarter. By December 2024, construction activity continued to face challenges. Despite slight increases in some indexes, these remained below growth levels, marking several months of contraction. Housing activity saw a significant decline, and the commercial and civil engineering sectors also showed negative growth, though at a slower pace. Both Germany and France faced difficulties, with France experiencing its largest contraction since April, resulting in notable job cuts in the sector. This overall subdued construction activity kept demand for Sodium Lignosulphonate in check throughout the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In the third quarter of 2024, the Sodium Lignosulphonate market in North America saw a significant decline in prices, particularly in the USA, which experienced the most pronounced impact. This downward trend was driven by several interrelated factors, including diminished demand from the construction sector, elevated inventory levels, and low feedstock costs. The sluggish construction activity, characterized by reduced homebuilding rates and weakened consumer confidence, directly resulted in decreased procurement of Sodium Lignosulphonate, as this product is commonly utilized as a concrete additive and dispersant in construction applications.
When comparing Q3 2024 to the same period last year, prices have fallen by 4.5%, indicating a persistent downward trajectory in the market. Additionally, the quarter-on-quarter analysis reveals a substantial 14% decrease, emphasizing a consistent decline in market values.
By the end of the quarter, Sodium Lignosulphonate was priced at USD 611/MT FOB Texas. This price point underscores the prevailing negative pricing environment and highlights the significant pressures exerted on market dynamics.
APAC
Throughout Q3 2024, the Sodium Lignosulphonate market in the APAC region experienced a notable decline in prices, driven by several key factors. A significant contributor to this downturn was the subdued demand from downstream industries, particularly within the construction sector. The construction industry, a major consumer of Sodium Lignosulphonate for its role as a concrete additive, faced reduced activity due to economic uncertainties. This decline in construction spending diminished the need for procurement, placing downward pressure on prices. Moreover, weak international orders further exacerbated the situation, as many regional markets struggled to secure contracts for construction and related projects. Low feedstock prices also influenced purchasing behavior, prompting buyers to consider more cost-effective alternatives, thereby stifling demand for Sodium Lignosulphonate. In China, where the most pronounced price changes occurred, the quarter recorded a 2% decline compared to the previous quarter. In contrast, prices surged by 17% compared to the same quarter last year, illustrating market volatility. By the end of the quarter, Sodium Lignosulphonate was priced at USD 262/MT FOB Qingdao, reflecting the prevailing negative sentiment in the pricing environment.
MEA
Throughout Q3 2024, Sodium Lignosulphonate prices in the MEA region displayed a consistent downward trend, driven by several key factors. A significant decline in demand from downstream industries, particularly within the construction and infrastructure sectors, resulted in reduced offtake. This, combined with an increase in product availability in the market, created oversupply conditions that exerted considerable downward pressure on prices. Furthermore, stable feedstock costs and the influx of competitively priced imports from various sources further contributed to the overall decline in Sodium Lignosulphonate prices. In Saudi Arabia, the market experienced the most pronounced price fluctuations during this quarter, recording a 4% decrease compared to the previous quarter. This notable reduction underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the market in maintaining price stability amidst shifting supply-demand dynamics. In contrast, when compared to the same quarter last year, prices for Sodium Lignosulphonate increased by 4.5%, reflecting a complex pricing landscape. The quarter concluded with Sodium Lignosulphonate priced at USD 698/MT CFR Jeddah, aligning with the overall decreasing pricing environment observed throughout Q3 2024.
FAQs
1. Which sectors drove Sodium Lignosulphonate demand in Q2 2025?
Major demand came from:
- Construction and infrastructure
- Cement and coatings industries
- Adhesives and concrete additives
2. How did logistics impact pricing across regions in Q2 2025?
• Congestion at ports in Europe and China disrupted shipments.
• Vessel delays and labor strikes extended lead times and constrained supply.
3. What was the market sentiment in APAC during early Q2 2025?
• Subdued, due to property sector weakness and limited foreign demand.
• Buyers remained cautious amid U.S.–China trade tensions and low Southeast Asian interest.
4. What is the short-term global price outlook for Sodium Lignosulphonate?
• The market is expected to remain modestly bullish, supported by:
- Gradual demand recovery in construction
- Ongoing supply-side limitations
- Seasonal restocking across MEA and APAC
